Starfall.com
(http://www.starfall.com/) is an engaging, literacy website
that has been operating since September 2002.
It is easy to navigate and is
very pleasing to the eye. Information
does not overwhelm the website.
Starfall.com targets students in their early childhood years, special
education students, and English language learners.
Children
may begin learning to read by learning the phonemic sounds of letters. Each letter has its own mini video clip. There are also songs to further explore vowel
sounds. Each video clip is short in
length, but entertaining. Starfall.com
reaches learners of different abilities.
This is evident because the site has clips incorporating sign language
and various body movements and gestures to go along with the sounds in the
clip.
Each
feature builds upon the next. After
children learn the initial sounds of the alphabet, they can blend groups of
letters together. They can practice this
by reading stories. Children can learn
sight words and long vowel sounds as well. The site then gives resources to
practice oral reading. Students can
engage in reading a variety of texts such as fiction, nonfiction, folk tales,
myths, and fables.
Not only
does Starfall.com offer resources for literacy, it offers resources for a
variety of subjects (such as math and science).
They have a section for printouts in addition to the online resources. There are sites for pre-school, kindergarten,
and first grade curriculum. The first
grade curriculum is aligned with the Common Core State Standards. The website
has free resources, but also has the option of access to additional resources
for a fee.
It
provides resources for educators and parents as well. In its link for
educators, Starfall.com addresses the issues of motivation, phonemic awareness,
systematic phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. In its link for parents, the website states both
online and offline strategies parents can try with their children to enhance
literacy skills.
Because
of its fanciful look and feel, with colorful features and charmed sounds,
children have fun while learning.
Starfall.com is a wonderful website to create enthusiasm in young
students to begin their journey with literacy.
I visited this site with my daughters when they were younger. I am going to use it with my English Language Learners and struggling readers in my classroom.
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